From Yuck to Yummy: Betty Crocker Sour Cream & Chives
Potatoes
Okay, so I’m super cheap when it comes to buying groceries.
Betty Crocker potatoes go on Publix BOGO like once and month and I usually jump
on the offer.
Why?
1.
Mini-him will actually eat mashed potatoes from
potato flakes. Pure processed carbs are right up her ally.
2.
They have a box top. Mini-him likes to be the
one who brings the most in for school and I like helping the school out since I
don’t have wads of cash to give.
3.
They tend to be a Upromise offer. Upromise is
the only way I’m ever able to get money into a savings account so I’m a huge
fan.
So... Whenever I buy potatoes that aren’t just mashed, they
tend to sit in the pantry FOREVER. I decided it was time to try to put it to
good use.
My idea: Sour Cream and Chive Cube Steak with Potatoes
I took the box and all of the ingredients it claims in needs
(water, milk, butter).
I then took my defrosted cube steak and laid it flat in some
Tupperware. I whisked together the milk and seasoning packet from the boxed
potatoes. I then poured the milk-seasoning mixture on top of my cube steak and
put it in the fridge to chill out.
Then I put the water and butter in a measuring cup,
microwaved it for 3 minutes. Meanwhile, I took the dehydrated potatoes and
tossed them with some EVOO, garlic powder, and onion powder. After the water
was done, I mixed it together and microwaved it for another three minutes.
I put the potato-water mixture in the bottom of a Pyrex. I
then put the cube steak on top of the potatoes. Lastly, I poured the rest of
the milk mixture on top and baked this according to the directions on the box.
When time was finished, I fried the cube steak in oil for
about 30 seconds on each side to get it browned.
I served this with a simply salad (yummy) and zucchini fries
(which turned out gross). Oh, and I cooked some killer Reece’s Pieces cookies
so I it would be a totally unhealthy meal.
The verdict?
Husband and I both thought it turned out better than if I
had just thrown it together via box directions. We both REALLY loved the cube
steak. It was flavorful, tender, and cooked perfectly. The potatoes themselves
still tasted a bit like cardboard but I never claimed to be a miracle worker.
The best part of this was actually the next day. I decided
to make potato pancakes with my leftovers. I took the leftover potatoes (with
very little of the gravy that ends up on them) and put them in the food
processor with some green bell pepper and onion. I them mixed this with an
equal part of leftover mashed potatoes and an egg. I breaded the patties with
flour I had seasoned with salt and pepper and fried the babies up to a nice
brown.
Oh my god. They were the best seasoned potato cakes I have
ever made in my life. The consistency was nicer than usual and they seemed to
fry well without taking on too much of the grease. Hello, new idea for boxed
potatoes!
So I essentially learned that boxed potatoes are boxed
potatoes. However, with love and determination, they can be quite enjoyed.
